Coater rope threading device



July 28, 1964 J. PHILLIPS COATER ROPE mamomc DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Dec. 22, 1961 5 INVENTOR. frVz'it ATTORNEYS y 28, 1954 I J.PHILLIIPS 3,142,598

v COATER ROPE Tl-IREADING DEVICE Filed Dec. 22, 1951 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. [71/172 J. P/i/Kf;

July 28, 1964 l. J. PHILLIPS COATER ROPE THREADING DEVICE 3 Sheets-SheetS Filed Dec. 22, 1951 A TTORNEYS United States Patent 3,142,588 COA'IERRQPE T ADHNG DEVICE Irvin J. Phillips, South Beloit, 111., assignor toBeloit liron Works, Beloit, Win, a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Dec.22, 1961, Ser. No. 161,671 11 Claims. (1. 1184ll7) The present inventionrelates to improvements in paper machines and particularly to animproved mechanism utilizing ropes for carrying the lead strip of amoving paper sheet through a machine and around rolls in order to threadthe lead end of a fresh web into the machine.

For starting a paper machine with a fresh paper Web or for rethreadingthe Web through the machine after a break, a lead strip is formed orattached on the lead end of the paper web and passed over the rolls atthe various stations. This is usually accomplished by inserting the leadstrip in the nip of a pair of adjacent bands or ropes known as Sheahanropes, which usually extend through a path beside the rolls parallel tothe path of the paper web. The ropes are driven at the speed of thesurface rotation of the rolls and the lead strip will draw the Web overthe rolls to thread it through the machine.

In some structures it is difficult to accommodate sheaves for supportingthe threading ropes since they interfere with the position of othermachine elements. For reliable operation particularly at high speeds theropes should follow the contour of the rolls and lead the strip aroundthe roll surfaces. Therefore the supporting sheaves should be positionedadjacent the ends of the rolls. One structure which has been found topresent such a problem is a puddle coater having an end dam forretaining a puddle of coating liquid above the coating doctor blade,which projects past the roll end and normally interferes with theeflicient and necessary operation position of rope carrying sheaves. Foreffective operation a rope threading system must be provided wherein theropes operate continuously, since rethreading must occur as soon aspossible if a break occurs in the travelling paper web to avoid periodsof operation without a web travelling through the machine, which arecostly and which can damage moving parts. The present inventioncontemplates the provision of rope sheaves for continuous rope operationwhich can shift out of the way of operating parts, and can shift intooptimum threading position when the parts are out of the way.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved rope rethreadingmechanism for a machine having rolls over which the lead end of a webmust be threaded wherein the ropes operate continuously and do notinterfere with the presence of other elements, but yet can be positionedin an optimum location for threading operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved systemof sheaves for carrying threading ropes in a mechanism such as a papermachine wherein certain sheaves can function in different runningpositions to accommodate the presence of other operating parts.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved papercoating mechanism employing a puddle coater wherein a coating end damprojects past the end of a backup roll and wherein the coating mechanismis provided with a rope rethreading mechanism for threading a lead stripover the backup roll.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a puddle coatingmechanism employing a backup roll with a doctor blade and an end damwherein the end dam is movable between an operating position adjacentthe end of the backup roll and a rest position away from the backuproll, and threading rope carrying sheaves are provided with one set ofsheaves being movable between a first running "too position wherein thethreading rope is supported and fed to a second set of stationarilypositioned sheaves, and a second running position wherein both sets ofsheaves are in optimum position for threading the lead strip of a freshweb over the surface of the backup roll.

Other objects, advantages and features will become more apparent withthe teaching of the principles of the invention in connection with thedisclosure of the preferred embodiment in the specification, claims anddrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an end elevational view shown somewhat in schematic form ofa paper coating machine section embodying the principles of the presentinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary plan view of an end darn at the end of adoctor blade for the mechanism;

FIGURE 3 is an end elevational view similar to FIG- URE 1 but showing aset of rope carrying sheaves in shifted position and with the end damsomitted; and

FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the mechanism taken from theright side of the structure as shown in FIGURE 1.

As shown on the drawings:

FIGURES 1, 3 and 4 illustrate a puddle coating mechanism such as may befound in a section of a paper making machine or such as may be employedin a converting mechanism for converting paper. It will of course beunderstood that the principles of the invention permit utilization inother environments and the invention is disclosed in connection with acoater for a travelling web of paper inasmuch as it is particularly welladapted to this use.

A travelling paper web W passes over the surface of a rotatingcylindrical backup roll 10 to receive a layer of coating on the outersurface. The backup roll is supported on end bearings 11 mounted on amachine frame 12.

A coating doctor blade 13 engages the outer surface of the web at atrailing angle and a puddle of coating is maintained above the bladebeing supplied by a suitable coating supply device, not shown. Thecoating blade is supported in a doctor back 14 which is pivotallysupported at its ends in bearings 15.

The doctor blade 13 is shown in FIGURE 1 in a close running positionrelative to the outer surface of the web W, and may be loadedthereagainst or held with a very slight gap with respect to the websurface, and is shown in FIGURE 3 in a rest position away from the outersurface of the backup roll 10. The mechanism for supporting and movingthe doctor blade 13 is similar to that disclosed in the copendingapplication of Irvin J. Phillips, filed December 22, 1961, Serial No.161,670.

Briefly, the mechanism for positioning and loading the doctor blade 13incorporates a fluid cylinder 16 with a piston slidable thereinconnected to a piston rod 1'7 which is pivotally connected to the doctorback. Admission of air into the lower end of the cylinder 16 moves theblade toward close running position and release of air from the lowerend permits the blade to drop downwardly to rest position. Additionalmechanism may be incorporated for more closely controlling the bladeloading pressure and for supporting the weight of the doctor back andassociated mechanism. The operating position of the blade 13 iscontrolled by a micrometer 18 connected to and carried with the doctorback 14 and movable against the surface of a stop 19 which is fixed onthe machine as part of the end column 211 which supports the bearing 15.Adjustment of the micrometer 18 will vary the position and pressure ofthe doctor blade 13.

At each end of the doctor blade 13 is an end dam such as the end dam 21.The end dams have a gasket 22 at their lower edge to form a seal withthe doctor back 14 S to retain the puddle of liquid coating above theblade 13.

The end dam 21 is illustrated as incorporating a vertical plate, FIGURESl and 2, supported on an arm 21a which is pivotally mounted on brackets23 and 24 mounted on the side of the stationary bearing column 20. Theend dam is provided with a drain opening 25 for excess coating material.

The arm 21a is pivotally sup orted between the brackets 23 and 24 by apivot pin 29. and a rigid locking arm 28 extends between the brackets 23and has a vertical bore 27 for receiving a locking pin 26 which dropsdown through openings, also shown at 27 in the brackets 23 and 24 tolock the end darn 21 in operating solid line position of FIGURES 1 and2. By lifting the locking pin 26 out of the holes 27, the locking arm 28is free, and the end darn can be swung to the dotted line rest position.As will be noted, in the solid line position the end dam projectsalongside the end of the backup roll 19, and in the dotted line positionit is pivoted away from the end of the backup roll. The end dam 21 hasbeen omitted from FIGURE 3 for clarity of the drawing, but it will be inthe dotted line position shown in FIGURE 2, away from the roll 10.

For threading the lead end of a fresh web over the backup roll 10,threading ropes R are provided, and these ropes are of a known structurebeing run in pairs over sheaves positioned at convenient locationsthrough the machine. The ropes are formed in continuous endless bandsand operate continuously with the machine at the speed of the peripheryof the rolls, so that upon breakage of the web an alert operator canquickly throw a lead strip between the ropes to draw the lead broken endof the web through the machine to rethread it.

Sheaves for guiding a lead strip around the backup roll 10 are shown ina first set of sheaves 31 rotatably supported on a bracket for rotationabout an axis parallel to the backup roll 10. The bracket 30 is securedto an arm 32 pivotally journalled on an annular bearing track 32a on thebackup roll bearing housing 11. In the uppermost position of the firstset of sheaves 31, as shown in FIGURE 1, the lowermost sheave 31 mayprovide the sole support for the ropes R and at least provides a guidefor the ropes travelling down to a second stationary set of sheaves 34rotatably mounted on a bracket 33. The sheaves 31 in their uppermost orfirst running position are positioned alongside the backup roll andmovable in an arc of travel coaxial with the backup roll to a secondrunning position, FIGURE 3, wherein the outer tangent points of each ofthe sheaves, where they support the backup ropes R, provide asubstantially arcuate path of travel concentric with the backup roll foran optimum path for threading the lead strip of a fresh web.

The first set of sheaves 31 is shown shifted to the second runningposition in FIGURE 3 where they are spaced from the second set ofsheaves 34 a distance substantially equal to the spacing between thesheaves of each set.

Movement of the first set of sheaves 31 from the first running positionof FIGURE 1 to the second running position of FIGURE 3 is accomplishedby an arm 36 which is connected to the journal of the arm 32 and whichalso is connected to a piston rod 37 of a piston slidable within acylinder 38 mounted on the frame 12. The cylinder is provided withsuitable air openings and at the time when rethreading is to occur thepiston rod 37 is extended to shift the first set of sheaves 31 down tothe second running position of FIGURE 3. Just before this, the doctorblade 13 will be dropped down to the rest position, and the end dam 21will be swung out of the way to its dotted line rest position of FIGURE2.

In brief summary of operation, when rethreading is to occur such as whena break is encountered, the doctor blade is dropped down to the restposition of FIGURE 3 and the end dam is swung outwardly to the restposition by removal of the locking pin 26, and the sheaves 31 are swungdown to the second running or rethreading posi- Cit tion of FIGURE 3.This can be accomplished during travel of the ropes and withoutinterference thereof, and continued operation and support of the ropeswill continue. After threading has been accomplished, the sheaves 3-1are swung up to the first running position of FIG- URE 1 so that thedoctor blade 13 and end dam 21 can be moved back to their operativepositions.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided an improved mechanism forrethreading a paper web which meets the objectives, advantages andfeatures above set forth. The mechanism is capable of operatingcontinuously at high running speeds without attention and adjustment,and permits the threading of the ropes to operate continuously and yetbe positioned for optimum threading without interference with the normaloperation and presence of other parts.

The drawings and specification present a detailed disclosure of thepreferred embodiments of the invention, and it is to be understood thatthe invention is not limited to the specific forms disclosed, but coversall modifications, changes and alternative constructions and methodsfalling within the scope of the principles taught by the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a machine for accommodating a continuous travelling web, thecombination comprising a web carrying roll for supporting the travellingweb, operating mechanism movable from an operating position to a restposition relative to said roll, a sheave means for supporting carrierropes to take the lead end of a web over the roll for threading a freshweb, a mount for said sheave means accommodating movement from a firstrunning position to a second running position, said second positionlocated to take the web over said roll, and means for moving said sheavemeans to said second position for threading the end of the fresh webduring a period when said operating mechanism is in rest position.

2. In a machine having a continuous travelling web, the combinationcomprising a web carrying roll for supporting the travelling web,operating mechanism movable from an operating position close to the rollto a rest position, a sheave means for supporting carrier ropes to takethe lead end of a web over the roll for threading a fresh web, a mountfor said sheave means accommodating movement from a first runningposition to a second running position, said second position located totake the web over said roll, and means for moving said sheave means tosaid second position to thread a web during a period when said operatingmechanism is in rest position.

3. In a paper machine having rolls for carrying a moving paper web, thecombination comprising a backup roll, a blade mechanism for applying acoating doctor blade to the moving web on the backup roll, means formoving the mechanism between a running position and a rest position,threading sheaves supported at the end of the backup roll for supportingcarrier ropes, and means for moving said threading sheaves from a firstrunning position where the ropes are supported out of interferingrelationship with the blade mechanism in its running position, to asecond running position after the blade mechanism is moved to said restposition.

4. In a machine having a continuous travelling web, the combinationcomprising a web carrying roll for sup porting the travelling web,operating mechanism movable from an operating position to a restposition relative to said roll, a sheave rotatable about an axisparallel to said roll for supporting carrier ropes to take the lead endof the web over the roll for threading a fresh web, a pivotal mount forsaid sheave accommodating movement from a first running position to asecond running position, said second position located to take the webover said roll, and means for pivotally moving said sheave on said mountto said second position during a period when said operating mechanism isin rest position.

5. In a machine having a continuous travelling web,

the combination comprising a web carrying roll for supporting thetravelling web, operating mechanism movable from an operating positionto a rest position relative to said roll, a sheave rotatable about anaxis parallel to said roll for supporting carrier ropes to take the leadend of the web over the roll for threading a fresh web, a pivotal mountfor said sheave coaxial with said roll accommodating movement from afirst running position to a second running position, said secondposition located to take the web over said roll, and means for pivotallymoving said sheave on said mount to said second position during a periodwhen said operating mechanism is in rest position.

6. In a machine having a continuous travelling web, the combinationcomprising a web carrying roll for supporting the travelling web, asheave rotatable about an axis parallel to said roll for supportingcarrier ropes to take the lead end of the Web over the roll forthreading a fresh web, a pivotal mount for said sheave coaxial with saidroll accommodating movement from a first running position to a secondrunning position, said second position located to take the web over saidroll, and an air cylinder connected to said mount for pivotally shiftingthe position of said sheave to said second position.

7. In a machine having a continuous travelling web, the combinationcomprising a web carrying roll for supporting the travelling web,operating mechanism movable from an operating position to a restposition relative to said roll, first and second sheave means havingsheaves rotatable about an axis parallel to said roll for supportingcarrier ropes to take the lead end of a web over the roll, a mount forsaid first sheave means accommodating movement from a first runningposition to a second running position, said second position locating thecarrier ropes to carry a web over said roll, a fixed mount for saidsecond sheave means locating said second sheave means for supporting thecarrier ropes in both positions of said first sheave means, and meansfor moving said first sheave means to said second position to thread theweb over the roll during a period when said operating mechanism is inrest position.

8. In a paper machine having rolls for carrying a moving paper web, abackup roll, a blade mechanism for applying a coating doctor blade tothe moving web on the backup roll including an end dam for holding apuddle of coating on the blade, a support for the end dam accommodatingmovement from an operating position adjacent the roll to a restposition, sheave means supported at the end of the roll for carrierropes, a mount for the sheave means accommodating movement from a firstrunning position to a second running position, said second positionlocated to thread the lead end of a web over the roll, said operatingposition of the end dam and said second position of the sheave meansbeing located so that intereference exists, and operating meansconnected to said mount so that the sheave means can be moved to saidsecond position after the end dam is moved to rest position.

9. In a paper machine having rolls for carrying a moving paper web, abackup roll, a blade mechanism for applying a coating doctor blade tothe moving web on the backup roll including an end dam for holding apuddle of coating on the blade, a support for the end (lam accommodatingmovement from an operating position adjacent the roll to a restposition, sheave means supported at the end of the roll for carrierropes, a mount for the sheave means accommodating movement from a firstrunning position to a second running position, said second positionlocated to thread the lead end of a web over the roll, said operatingposition of the end dam and said second position of the sheave meansbeing located adjacent the end of the roll substantially at theperiphery, and operating means connected to said mount so that thesheave means can be moved to said second position after the end dam ismoved to rest position.

10. In a paper machine having rolls for carrying a moving paper web, thecombination comprising a backup roll, a blade mechanism for applying acoating doctor blade to the moving web on the backup roll including asupport for carrying the blade from an operating position against theWeb to a rest position away from the web, and including an end damcoacting with the blade in an operating position adjacent the end of theroll to hold a puddle of coating on the blade, a pivotal mount for theend dam accommodating movement to a rest position away from the roll,sheave means supported at the end of the roll for carrier ropesincluding a plurality of suc cessive sheaves rotatably supported on axesparallel with the roll, a pivotal mount for the sheave meansaccommodating movement from a first running position to a second runningposition, said second position located to thread the lead end of a Webaround the roll, said operating posi tion of the end dam and said secondposition of the sheave means being located so that interference exists,and operating means connected to said mount so that the sheave means canbe moved to said second position after the end dam is moved to restposition.

11. In a paper machine having rolls for carrying a moving paper web, thecombination comprising a backup roll, a blade mechanism for applying acoating doctor blade to the moving web on the backup roll including asupport for carrying the blade from an operating position against theweb to a rest position away from the web and including an end damcoacting with the blade in an operating position adjacent the end of theroll to hold a puddle of coating on the blade, a pivotal mount for theend dam accommodating movement to a rest position away from the roll, afirst sheave means supported at the end of the roll for carrier ropes, amount for the sheave means accommodating movement from a first runningposition to a second running position, said second position located tothread the lead end of a web over the roll, said operating position ofthe end dam and said second position of the sheave means being locatedso that interference exists, operating means connected to said mount sothat the first sheave means can be moved to said second position afterthe end dam is moved to rest position, and a second fixed sheave meansincluding a plurality of successive sheaves positioned to carry ropesthreaded over said first sheave means in both positions of said firstsheave means.

Kremer Mar. 14, 1916 Pearson Nov. 7, 1950

1. IN A MACHINE FOR ACCOMMODATING A CONTINUOUS TRAVELLING WEB, THECOMBINATION COMPRISING A WEB CARRYING ROLL FOR SUPPORTING THE TRAVELINGWEB, OPERATING MECHANISM MOVABLE FROM AN OPERATING POSITION TO A RESTPOSITION RELATIVE TO SAID ROLL, A SHEAVE MEANS FOR SUPPORTING CARRIERROPERS TO TAKE THE LEAD END OF A WEB OVER THE ROLL FOR THREADING A FRESHWEB, A MOUNT FOR A SAID SHEAVE MEANS ACCOMMODATING MOVEMENT FROM A FIRSTRUNNING POSITION TO A SECOND RUNNING POSITION, SAID SECOND POSITIONLOCATED TO TAKE THE WEB OVER SAID ROLL, AND MEANS FOR MOVING SAID SHEAVEMEANS TO SAID SECOND POSITION FOR THREADING THE END OF THE FRESH WEBDURING A PERIOD WHEN SAID OPERATING MECHANISM IS IN REST POSITION.